Toddlers....seriously?

Today the boys turned 21 months.  Yes, in just 3 short months, they will be TWO!

Daycare has told us that the boys would likely move to the next room when they are around 2, so imagine our surprise today when we picked them up, and they told us that they had the boys visiting the Toddler room!  Wait...don't push them to grow up too fast! 

Jackson spent most of the afternoon in the Toddler room.  They said he did fine (which doesn't surprise me).  He probably took toys from the bigger kids, and just kept on keeping on - that's what Jackson does.  He's still a very independent little man.

Lincoln however was having no part of it, and they ended up taking him back to the large tot room.  Lincoln had a lot of difficulty when he moved from the small tot to the large tot room, so again, not too surprising.  But, last time they tried to move him without his brother - this time they took both of them over.  Still, Lincoln is a little resiliant to change (kind of like his dad).  The ladies at daycare said Lincoln settled down being back in the large tot room, but he was very sad - they could tell he was missing his brother!

Guess this momma is going to have to get used to her little boys growing up.  I'm very excited to see them continuing to develop and learn new things, but sometimes, I just want my babies back so I can hold them.  I'm afraid my snuggle days with the boys will draw to a close all too soon!

Heart melting moments

Over the past several days, we've experienced some pretty heart warming moments. 

Last Wednesday when we picked the boys up from school, we were listening to the news.  Everything was about the exotic animals that were released in Zanesville.  We hadn't went over animal noises with the boys for a while, so we started in:  what does a lion say, what does a tiger say.  Well, those pretty much make the same noise, and the boys know that.  Then, I asked what a bear says - evidently, they haven't learned that one at daycare yet.  I didn't want to completely confuse them and tell them a bear says the same thing as a lion and a tiger, so without thinking, I just said "Hey - Boo Boo!" (remember Yogi Bear?)  The next thing I knew, each of the boys were doing their own "Hey-Boo Boo!" in the back seat...and laughing.  It was definitely a priceless moment!

Later that night, as we were heading to bed, the boys started to cry and fuss a bit.  Brian had been sleeping for a while as he wasn't feeling very well, so I went to take care of the boys.  I scooped them both out of their beds and sat in the glider rocker.  Jackson doesn't like sharing his mommy, so he quickly pushed Lincoln off my lap.  Poor little man just leaned on my leg fussing a bit, but laid his head on my knee and kept snuggling.  Jackson settled down, so I put him back into his bed, and scooped Lincoln up.  He snuggled up on my chest, and laid his little head in the crook of my neck.  As we snuggled under his blanket, he slowly went back to sleep, and I realized that although he is bigger, talks, walks, eats solid foods nows, etc. one thing hasn't changed - he still needs his mommy.  Love that little man.

Don't worry - I love Jackson too!  He surprised me Thursday morning.  Usually, we have to wake the boys up in the morning to get them ready for school.  Thursday was no different, in that regard.  I headed into the boys room to pick out their clothes, and I heard Jackson start rustling in his bed.  Typically, he would stand up, and fuss until I pick him up out of his bed.  Well Thursday morning, he rolled over, saw me in his room, and gave out the happiest little squeal in the world!  He was so excited to see me!  It was very sweet, and melted my heart.

Thursday night when we put the boys to bed, I told them goodnight, and then told them I love them as I do every night.  Well, Thursday night, they both told me "Love you" in return!  It was a very happy night for us!

I have other moments to share...like our trip to the pumpkin patch, and our family nap on the couch today, but those will have to wait till another day!

Hope everyone has a great week!

A walk on the bright side...

Our family has struggled over the past few months.  Things are starting to look a little brighter, even as the days get shorter.  It is very likely that my mom is going home tomorrow!  We are all so excited.  She can't wait to get home.  We hope that she can recover comfortably over the next few weeks, and that the tough part is over.

Tonight, I was reflecting on the simple, yet amazing things the boys are doing these days.  Last week, they learned to say "Love you" - not everyone would understand what they are saying, but I always know!  We've been teaching them how to say I love you in sign language too!

Yes, sign language.  They know how to sign several words: more, please, thank you, uncle, dog, toothbrush, bird, cracker...there are more that they have learned at daycare, and we will figure them out eventually.  It really does help to communicate with the little guys! 

They are learning more and more words all the time too.  They are both saying "Lincoln" (or Linky) now.  They ask for snacks (instead of just grunting), and they are singing songs too.  Row row row your boat, Ba Ba Black Sheep are the favorites, but tonight Jackson was doing a really good job singing "I'm a little teapot"! 

I know that my boys aren't doing anything new or different than what other peoples kids do, but I'm still amazed at how those helpless little babies have grown into smart little boys.  I am a very lucky mommy!

Asking for prayers...

Brian's uncle Ralph is having surgery tomorrow.  Please keep him and his entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

thanks!
Kate

Another angel...

Shortly after midnight on October 7, 2011, Grandma Janice Hart went to be with our Lord and Savior.

We rejoice that she is finally Home, but weep for the hole that she has left on our lives.

Rest in peace Janice.